Women tell: How I used my body to my benefit
FACE the facts: the opportunities for men and women in the corporate world are not equal. Every so often we hear complaints of qualified women being paid less than unqualified men, simply because of their gender.
And, if that wasn’t bad enough, getting a promotion or moving up requires four times the effort of a woman than it does a man.
For some women who seek upward mobility, the answer lies not in sleeping their way to the top, as a few confessed to
All Woman some weeks ago, but instead just using their sex appeal to influence their bosses and workplace decision makers.
SK, 27:
My husband is 12 years older than I am. I am 5ft 10 inches tall and fair-skinned. When I left university I started working at a well-known insurance company that would have regular office gatherings, especially during the festive season. I had always been told that colour prejudice was alive and well in our country, but this party proved it when many of the top clients who were invited came and kept asking me to come work for them at their front desk or as a personal assistant. These offers were made with decent salaries that I was not close to getting where I was at. One even said he’d spoken to my boss (a male) who recommended me smiling, and said, “Her dresses are lovely too”. Then I realised his daily compliments meant more. I took one of the job offers, then I met my husband. This relationship propelled me even further, as whenever I asked for a raise it was granted because my husband was my new boss’ client. Additionally, my new boss would compliment the tone and length of my legs, as well as my dresses. All I did was to ensure I held on to hubby and kept wearing the dresses my boss loved to see me in. For me, my physical appearance as well as whose arm I was perched on worked in my favour.
AH, 28:
I enjoyed partying as a young adult and got the opportunity to model clothes, swimwear, pose on posters, and do a few music videos and commercials mainly because of my body. Call a spade a spade. I consider myself pretty, but my body is the icing on the cake, and I know that and make it work in my favour. One person referred to it as a higher grade of prostitution, but I say it’s working smarter, not harder. If it works for you, do it. It’s no different than being a great singer or dancer. I’m just a great poser.
JG, 39:
The first time I did this was maybe age 21. I was in my first job, and my boss said in order for me to get time off all he needed was a peek at my breasts. So I pulled down my blouse to reveal some cleavage. I realised that as the months went by, once I wore anything that showed cleavage or my legs, the day went by smoothly with no issues from him. Then when time came for a promotion I got one. This was within a year of my employment and it was not a result of hard work and diligence. Also, I ensured all my mentors were males, and whenever they invited me to social gatherings I would flirt my way through and network with the men who mattered. To this day it has worked and I have developed contacts and got well-paying jobs simply as a result of flirting with the right men, then including a thing or two about my professional capabilities.
DD, 40:
It’s about knowing how to capitalise on your best asset. If that’s your body, or even just how you present yourself, that’s fine. Men are always staring at my bottom. My supervisors, bosses, even the director will make remarks from time to time. Am I defensive? No. I’ll run back my jokes and hint at a raise or additional benefit. Eight out of ten times I get it. I’ve even gone to stores and bargained on the basis that my bottom makes the dress or skirt fit nicely. The male managers always agree and always give a discount. Having sex appeal is one thing, but you have to be charismatic too.
MD, 21:
I went to do summer work while in high school. My boss expressed that he had an interest in me as I am very friendly and I guess he was attracted to my shortness and big boobs. He said he would buy clothes, shoes, money, lunch, anything I asked for, even though he was married. So I was collecting my cheques and saving them. It lasted for a month until I moved on to another supervisor who did the same thing. In return all I needed to do was comply and be in their company. When I left the place they were still at my beck and call.
